At Triton Regional High School, Athletic Trainer Mike Ruzycky has seen a rise in reported injuries since he began working there in March 2021. However, he points out that this increase could be due to multiple factors.
“Athletes and coaches are more familiar with me and comfortable coming to see me for any injuries, which increases the amount,” he explained.
Additionally, improved injury tracking tools and methods contribute to the apparent rise in cases. Sports injuries have always been a reality for athletes, from the professional level to high school sports. But in recent years, the question stands: Are injuries becoming more frequent? Data from various sources suggest that the number of sports-related injuries has been increasing since 2020, but the reasons behind this trend are more complex than they may seem.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), sports and recreational injuries have been steadily rising, with a 20% increase in 2021 from 2020, followed by a 12% rise in 2022 and a 2% uptick in 2023. This trend has been mirrored in professional sports as well. A report from the Men’s European Football Injury Index found that top European soccer leagues recorded 4,123 injuries during the 2023-24 season, a 4% increase from the previous year and a staggering 37% rise compared to the 2020-21 season.
Ruzycky provided data from Triton, which showed that the number of injury evaluations fluctuates across seasons but has generally increased. For instance, fall sports saw 100 injury evaluations in 2022 and 120 in 2023. Winter sports also saw a rise from 47 evaluations in 2022-23 to 54 in 2023-24. These numbers suggest that injury rates are not declining but in fact rising. The factors behind the rise in injuries are countless. Ruzycky notes that each season brings different trends in injuries, requiring constant adjustments.
“Two years ago, we saw a rise in forearm fractures, which led to changes in safer sports techniques and a greater emphasis on strength and conditioning as well as nutrition to increase bone density,” he said.
Concussions, ankle sprains, and even skin infections have also fluctuated in frequency over the years. The real kicker to an injury is the recovery. An athlete would like nothing more than to return to their sport as fast as possible before the short season ends. Triton graduate and current athletic trainner Tessa Boyle shared some insight on what it takes to determine whether or not an athlete can return to play.
“Every injury is different but there’s tests that we perform to help us rule out/in certain aspects to help us make that call.” Boyle said.
The tests include range of motion(ROM) evaluations and checls for swelling and manueverability. If the athlete does not pass these tests they can be referred to a doctor for further evaluation and eventually treatment. If an athlete cannot return to play immediately, the next step is rehabilitation.
“The basic components of protocols include stretches and strengthening exercises that are designed to meet the intended goals of the treatment.” Said Boyle.
Rehab can be exhausting and mentally debilitating, which is why the prevention of injury in the first place is so important. Ruzycky emphasizes three key areas that athletes should focus on to reduce their risk: strength training, proper nutrition, and quality sleep.
“A consistent and regular strength training protocol can reduce injury rates anywhere from 30-50%,” Ruzycky explained.
Proper nutrition helps athletes recover between competitions, and sleep ensures the body can repair itself effectively. Beyond high school athletics, experts suggest that the increased pace and intensity of sports could be contributing to the higher injury rates. The Guardian recently reported that hamstring injuries in the English Premier League accounted for 24% of all injuries from game weeks 1 to 26 this season. The congested game schedules, along with disruptions like the pandemic and the winter World Cup, may have increased players’ susceptibility to injury.
Looking ahead, the future of sports injuries will largely depend on how well athletes, coaches, and medical professionals implement injury prevention strategies. Ruzycky remains hopeful, saying,
“Each year will bring new injury trends and patterns, but overall, I am confident that injury rates will continue to decrease over the years.”
However, data from professional and amateur sports suggest that the issue is far from being solved. With evolving game schedules, increased intensity, and new athletic challenges, the road to fewer injuries will require continued education, better conditioning programs, and advancements in sports medicine. For now, athletes at all levels must remain vigilant, prioritize injury prevention, and take the necessary steps to keep themselves healthy and in the game.
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